Self-contained power driven auger



C. T. CRAMPTON SELF-CONTAINED POWER DRIVEN AUGER July 17, 1962 Fileql Jan. 20, 1959 127752177271 (he; I Cfe/svw rozv United States Patent 3,044,562 a SELF-CONTAINED lPOWER DRIVEN AUGER Carl T. Crampton, Sioux Falls, S. Dale, assignor to Du-Al Manufacturing Company, a corporation Filed Jan. 20, 1959, Ser. No. 787,852 1 Claim. (Cl. 175-201) The present invention relates generally to a power driven auger or post hole digger. More specifically, the present invention relates to a self-contained hydraulically driven auger attachment adapted to be suspended from a boom structure which may be mounted on a tractor or the like.

In previous post hole digger attachments, many of the attachments have had gear drive and the like, usually driven from a power shaft. The gear digger attachments have required the use of comparatively expensive gearing, as well as more complicated connections having a greater likelihood of breaking down during operation. The present self-contained hydraulically driven auger attachment is distinctly advantageous since it may be manufactured with less cost and since it may be maintained or serviced at a minimum of expense.

According to the general features of the present invention, the auger attachment comprises a frame structure including a U-shaped channel having at its ends adjustable brackets connected to suspension means for attachment to the forward end of a boom in place of a scoop attachment, or a bucket attachment, or other similar attachments.

Still another feature of the present invention is concerned with the provision of novel means between the attachment and the boom which means not only secures the attachment in assembly with the boom but also operates to resist transverse twisting of the auger.

According to still other features of the present invention, the instant auger attachment is provided with a low speed high torque hydraulic motor which is mounted directly on the frame structure and has a drive shaft coupled in coaxial alignment with the digging element, or anger.

An important object of the present invention relates to a new and improved auger attachment for suspension from a boom on a tractor or the like, which auger attachment may be manufactured and operated at a reduced cost with less likelihood of mechanical failure.

Still another object of the present invention relates to a self-contained hydraulically driven auger attachment which may be substituted in place of other attachments and suspended from a boom of a loader and which auger attachment may be assembled and removed from the boom with a minimum of effort.

Yet another object of the present invention relates to a new and improved auger or post digger attachment which no longer requires expensive gear drives and the like for rotating the digging element carried by the attachment.

A further object of the present invention relates to a new and improved auger or post digger attachment which attachment is adapted to resist transverse twisting relative to the boom on a loader when suspended from the boom.

Other objects and features of the present invention will more fully become apparent in view of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings illustrated therein a single embodiment, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side view of a loader having a selfcontained hydraulically driven anger suspended from its boom structure;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged'fragmentary side elevation of the auger attachment shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially on the line IIIIII looking in the direction v of the arrows, as is seen in FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 4 is a diagrammatic view of the system for operating the hydraulicmotor carried on the anger attachment.

As shown on the drawings:

The reference numeral 10 indicates generally a selfpropelled loader including a tractor 10a having a boom structure 11 mounted thereon. The boom structure 11 includes a hydraulically powered mechanism 12 for raising and lowering the boom structure.

The boom structure 11 includes a pair of boom arms or legs 13, 13 which are connected at one end to the tractor and which are raised and lowered by the hydraulic mechanism 12. The boom 11 also includes a fork structure 14 which is comprised of a pair of base legs 15 and a pair of diverging legs 16 which legs 16 diverge away from the base legs 15. The base legs 15 may be connected together in any suitable manner such as by means of a weld indicated :at 17 in FIGURE 2. The diverging legs 16 are connected in pivotal assembly with the legs 13, 13 at pivot points 18, 18. A hydraulic mechanism 19 is provided for actuating the fork 14 relative to the legs 13, 13.

Supported from the outer end of the boom is a removable auger attachment 2t which embodies principles of The auger attachment 2%) includes a frame structure 21.

The frame structure 21 is provided with hearing means 22 from which an anger or a post hole digger 23 is suspended. A fluid or hydraulic operated system 24 is provided for rotating the auger and coupling means 25 is provided for connecting the anger with the hydraulic system 24. Suspension structure 26 is connected to the frame structure which includes hanger means 27 for connecting the auger attachment 20 with the boom 11 on the loader 10.

The frame structure 21 includes a U-shaped channel 21 which is defined by channel legs 21a and 21b con nected together by base leg 21c and which together define a platform from which the auger 23 is suspended. The channel legs 21a and 21b are joined at their outer end lower end by means of a U-shaped channel 21d. The channel 21d is welded in assembly with the legs 21a and 21b in order to rigidity the channel 21. Disposed between the base channel leg 21c and the channel 21d is the bearing means 22 which may be of any suitable type and in the present instance comprises a tubular shaft or sleeve in which a reduced end 23a of the auger 23 is journaled.

Supported upon the channel 21' is a housing bracket 21a which is in welded assembly with the channel base leg 21c. Suitably attached on top of the housing bracket 21c is a fluid driven low speed high torque hydraulic motor 24a which motor may be of any suitable construction. The motor 24a has a drive shaft 24b which is extended through the housing bracket Zle and is coupled with the reduced end 23a of the auger 23 by the coupling means 25. The coupling means 25 may comprise a flexible coupling of a suitable construction or the like.

As is shown in FIGURE 4, fluid lines 240 connect the motor 24a with a manually operated valve 24d, which valve may be disposed adjacent the drivers seat in order to facilitate operation of the auger attachment 20. The controls for the other hydraulic mechanisms 12 and 1? hydraulic system 24 may be of any suitable type.

' conventional fluid pump 24a which pump is in trurn connected to a reservoir 24 The pump 24c may be driven by any suitable means and the reservoir 24f is connected by its fluid line 24c to the hydraulic motor 24a. The An advantageous aspect of the presentinvention resides in the fact that the motor shaft 24!) directly overlies the auger 23 in coaxial alignment so that they maybe readily coupled together.

The suspension structure 26 includes a series of vertical and horizontal U-shaped suspension channels 26a, 26b and 260. The vertical channels 26a and 261) are secured in assembly with the horizontal channel 260 by suitable fasteners 26d. In this respect it will be noted that the bottom legs of the channels 26a, 26b and 260 are assembled in such a manner that the other free legs of the channels extend in opposite directions with respect to one another. The suspension structure is generally U- shaped and its legs 26a and 2612 are connected at opposite ends of the channel 21 on the base leg 21c.

A bracket 26e is welded in assembly with the channel base leg 210. The fasteners 26f, which may be of any suitable type, extend through the bracket structures 26e, 26c and through the vertical suspension channels 26a and 26b to secure the suspension means or suspension structure 26 in assembly with the frame structure 21.

The hanger means 27 for attaching the auger attachment 26 to the boom 11 includes a main hanger bracket 27'. The main hanger bracket 27 is comprised of a U-shaped portion 27a which is adapted to clamp the fork base legs 15, 15 against the suspension channel 260. The

bracket 27 also includes feet, 27b, 27b which extend on opposite sides of the U-shaped suspension bracket portion 27a and are secured in assembly with the legs of the suspension channel 26c by means of a series of fasteners 270. The fasteners 27c may be of any suitable type and as-illustrated each comprise a nut and a bolt. The fasteners 270 are cooperable with the U-shaped portion 27a and the legs 15 prevent twisting of the auger 21 with respect thereto.

The auger attachment 2t) may be readily assembled and detached from the boom llmerely by the assembly or removal of the fasteners 27c. To complete the assembly or disassembly of the auger attachment relative to the boom, the fluid lines 240 need only be engaged or disengaged from the hydraulic motor 24a.

The instant auger attachment due toits simple. construction may be economically manufactured and requires only a minimum of service as compared to former angers since no longer'are complicated gear drives required to operate the digging or drilling element.

It will be understood that modifications and variations 7 will be effected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the present invention.

I claim as my invention:

A direct drive type of power driven auger attachment for suspension from a conventional type hydraulic boom structure on a farm tractor, the auger attachment including a frame structure comprising a U-shaped channel having a base channel leg and a pair of spaced vertical channel legs joined therewith, a fluid driven motor supported on said frame stuucture above the auger and having 'a fluid motor drive shaft projecting therefrom, a bearing carried below the drive shaft on the .U-shaped channel between the spaced vertical channel legs in coaxial alignment with the drive shaft, an anger suspended from the U-shaped channel and journaled in said bearing and with a vertical axis of the auger being disposed vertically between the spaced vertical channel legs, coupling means carried on the drive shaft joining the drive shaft and the auger in coaxial alignment to provide a direct drive from the drive shaft to the auger, and a U-shaped suspension frame including spaced vertical legs having free ends pivotally joined with opposite ends of said base channel legs.

I References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS La'y Nov; 5, 1957 

